Heritage and Archaeological Assessment
The NPPF[1] states “Where a site on which development is proposed includes, or has the potential to include, heritage assets with archaeological interest, local planning authorities should require developers to submit an appropriate desk-based assessment and, where necessary, a field evaluation.” We regularly provide these for clients across the UK.
Historic Core
Many villages have developed around a historic core for over a thousand years. Typically, a parish church, village green and Manor House will indicate the location of the core. The popular perception is one of stability and to a degree, in some cases that is true. However, rural populations have shifted for economic, health and other reasons. Villages across the country record the historic events which took place in and around them and those records exist below ground in archaeological deposits and above ground in historic buildings. We work to identify the core of each village, its extent and whether it has shifted, grown or shrunk over time. We check the development site in relation to this core as an indicator of archaeological potential.
Identifying previous land use
Villages sometimes contained open space (for livestock grazing and crops). They occur in a variety of shapes, densities and types. Two of the major types being dispersed settlements, perhaps a long a major routeway, and nucleated settlements. The latter are more densely populated. We research the extent and location of former common land and green. Where we can, we locate the development site within open, or developed land. We also consider its proximity to current and forgotten burial grounds, noting the modern boundaries around many churchyards are not the same boundaries that would have existed in the past.
Setting of Heritage Assets
Many of our villages contain historic buildings, some are labelled Conservation Areas. We pick up on such Heritage Assets and we note they have a setting. We consider whether, and the degree to which, that setting contributes negatively or positively to their significance. We have experience in assessing the significance of heritage assets and in recognizing and distinguishing the role played by setting in that significance. We carry out a site visit to the development plot, and we visit heritage assets which may potentially be affected. We carry out bespoke setting assessment of each asset which has the potential to be affected. In so doing our clients are informed on this important topic.
Go ahead and ask………
If you would like to talk over a site or any of the topics mentioned above, please give us a call or send an email. We are happy to help out with some preliminary observations on archaeology and heritage.
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